Culiverter

Thursday, September 3, 2009

I grew up making this pasta with my Mom and it is one of my fondest childhood cooking memories (up there with chocolate chip cookies, but cookies win because the batter tastes better!). I don't know if it is the joy of making pasta from scratch with the family or the freshness or the pasta but after making pasta from scratch it is very difficult to go back to dry packaged pasta. It is also easier than you think. I find it takes longer to boil the water than to make the pasta!

The Recipe: Homemade Pasta

Combine the salt and flour and sift onto the counter. Form a well in the middle and add one egg at a time, carefully mixing the flour in with your fingers, without out letting the egg escape. Add the oil and water and nead with you hands on the counter. If the dough is too dry and not coming together you can add more water and if it is sticking to your hands and counter you can add more water. Nead for a couple minutes until nice and smooth.

Cut into 2 pieces and place one piece in an airtight ziplock so that it does not form a crust on the outside. Work the first piece with your hands into an flat oval that can be placed in the pasta machine (I have heard that you can make it with a rolling pin, but I never tried). Cover the outside with flour so that it does not stick to itself when going through the machine. Starting at the largest setting run the dough through the machine about 3 times. The move down the settings one a time. Feel free to cut the dough in half if it getting to large to work with. I like to stop at about the third smallest setting (my machine has 7 settings) as this is nice for linguine or lasagna noodles. Add the noodle maker attachment (I have heard that is the techincal term) and run the dough through. I place the noodles on the back of my kitchen chairs until I am ready to add them to the water but my Mom always coat hangers.

Boil a large pot of water (the more the better), add 2 tbsp of salt and 1 tbsp of oil just before adding the noodles, cook for about 2-3 minutes, drain and add to your sauce to finish cooking for 1 minute. Serve and Enjoy. Here are a couple of favourite sauce, tomato and beef pasta sauce recipe and Shrimp and Butter Sauce.

About Me

I've always had an interest in cooking since I was a kid. Growing up, I looked forward to making pasta, cookies, pancakes and other great dishes with my mom. In university, my interest in cooking increased as I was home with an injured knee and loads of time to watch Food TV. more...